Schalk Brits believes he has already proved himself and does not need to use a possible duel with Adriaan Strauss to prove any point to anyone.
Stephen Nell writes in Die Burger that these two Springbok hookers will be up against each other in Saturday’s Currie Cup match between Western Province and the Cheetahs.
Strauss used the few minutes he was given as a substitute in South Africa’s Test against Australia in Perth to move past Brits in the Springbok hooker queue.
In the meantime Brits has had kidney stones removed and unfortunately spoiled an otherwise good performance against the Blue Bulls by landing himself in the sin bin as a result of unlawful play.
Brits has nothing but respect for Strauss. “It will be very nice. Adriaan is a superfriendly guy,” said Brits.
“But I’m now beyond trying to prove a point. I have already tried to prove who I am, what I can do and how well I can scrum.
“Together with JC Kritzinger and Wicus Blaauw I gave as good as I got against the Blue Bulls scrum last weekend. What do I have to prove to who?
More experienced tighthead
“I am now playing for Rassie Erasmus and Allister Coetzee (the Stormers and WP coaches respectively). As far as the weekend goes, it’s always nice to play against the Cheetahs.”
Even though Kritzinger acquitted himself extremely well against the Bulls, Brits could have a more experienced tighthead prop next to him in Brian Mujati for the game against the Cheetahs.
Mujati, who started at tighthead prop in South Africa’s record 53-8 defeat of Australia last weekend, could be included in the WP starting side along with several other Boks.
“We must try and give ourselves another chance to qualify for the semifinal round,” said Brits.
“It’s going to be difficult, but the Springboks and Sireli Naqelevuki (Fijian threequarter) are back.”
A player that may possibly not be in the WP squad is 35-year-old AJ Venter, who is plagued by a shoulder injury.
He is contracted as a lock, but has frequently been used as a loose forward, with WP under pressure to plug holes in the absence of Luke Watson and Schalk Burger.
“Rassie actually contracted AJ as a lock. We were short on experience,” said Coetzee.
Venter was sent to the sin bin as a result of blatant unlawful play against the Bulls in front of referee Mark Lawrence.
“There is no excuse for it. It doesn’t matter how frustrated a player may be. But I still think he has the skills to play lock.”
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😯 Dude!!!!!!!!! If the guy had taken MY place in the Bok side, I would go all out to prove that the coach has made a mistake and that I am the better player.
I still don’t think Brits is good enough to be a Bok.
All flash and no grunt.
And he is just as bad a Look X in that he can’t keep his trap shut. 🙄
as bad as
@wpw (Comment 2) :
There is a piece on OFM sport that says something along the lines of no matter what he says, he WILL be going out there to prove a point on Saturday. (I think they are right)
This statement is positively idiotic: ” Strauss used the few minutes he was given as a substitute in South Africa’s Test against Australia in Perth to move past Brits in the Springbok hooker queue. ”
How can one possibly prove in a couple of minutes that you are the better player? The coach only liked him better because he had him( Strauss ) in one of his previous teams. That constitutes also being biased in a way and I would like it if the coaches can get past that sort of attitude as well.
@Silver Fox (Comment 5) : But Brits was also in one of PDV’s previous teams, it was just a matter of proving yourself when getting the chance on the big stage…(Ala Adi Jacobs) 😉
@Silver Fox (Comment 5) :
Hey I don’t know hey. They were both in previous PDV teams as Adi ag i mean Charlie points out.
If anything I would have percieved more of a bias towards Brits when he was originally chosen.
Yea he needs to prove that aside from hoping in the air before being hammered while trying to side step that he can hit his jumpers in the line out and offer more than a big smile.
@Sauce (Comment 8) : made a lovely break against the Bulls, though… I still think he’d make a great centre
@robdylan (Comment 9) : Wow ! Just what you want from a hooker – a good line break…..
@robdylan (Comment 9) : No. 6 flank…Smith / Waugh replica… 😉
@Sauce (Comment 10) : That’s not all I want in a hooker! Different strokes I guess!
@Baldrick (Comment 12) : you want different strokes from your hooker? 😉
Yeah, unlike a Xerox lion, I prefer a cat ‘o 9 tails.
@Baldrick (Comment 14) : TMI!!! 😉
I personally do not have a great opinion of either, although I tend to favour Brits. My gripe was with the statement that he proved to be better in a couple of minutes’ play.
@Charlie (Comment 6) : I was busy answering you this morning when a power cut put paid to that. I was one that did not think Adi to be on par, but he has completely silenced me and I expect a lot of other folk. He did prove himself, though not in a couple of minutes. 🙂
“Adriaan is a superfriendly guy”
subtext
I am going hurt him any chance I get. ha ha
@Baldrick (Comment 12) : Don’t get me wrong its good to see a hooker running and stepping – but what’s the point if he can’t do the basics ?
@Sauce (Comment 18) : he? 😯
Schalk seems like a nice kid who likes to run with the ball. But I suspect he somewhat overrates his ability as a hooker. Not a bad player though.
@robdylan (Comment 19) : Eish Rob…..
@Silver Fox (Comment 16) : Just waiting for “Die Jood” to do so 😈